Christmas in Medway 2025

Rochester Christmas Market

Visit Historic Rochester this winter and experience the magic of our ever-popular Rochester Christmas Market. Wander through beautifully decorated stalls brimming with unique gifts, delicious food and magical funfair you won’t find anywhere else.

Rochester Christmas Market begins on Friday, 28 November. For dates and times, as well as FAQs, please click here.

The Rochester Dickensian Festival

Experience the magic of Christmas past as Historic Rochester transforms into a scene straight from the pages of Charles Dickens. 

Immerse yourself in the charm of a Victorian Christmas - browse traditional market stalls, join in hands-on workshops, and watch as street performers bring much-loved Dickensian tales to life.

The festival will take place on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 December. 

Find out more here.

Deck the Halls!

Get into the festive spirit as you explore this beautiful historic house, all decorated for a Victorian Christmas.

Sat, 22 and Sun, 23 Nov, 10am to 5pm (last admissions 4.15pm)

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Immerse yourself in Dicken’s best loved festive story, performed in the magnificent 16th century Grand Reception Room, where the drama will unfold all around you.

Sat, 29 and Sun, 30 Nov, Sat, 13 and Sun, 14 Dec

Mr. Scrooge & Company

Visit Eastgate House during Rochester’s Dickensian Christmas festival and meet characters from A Christmas Carol, including everyone’s favourite old curmudgeon Mr Scrooge.

Sat, 6 and Sun, 7 Dec, 11am to 5pm

Storytelling with Victorian Father Christmas

Gather round the fire and hear a new festive story read by Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in his green robes in our beautiful 17th century kitchen.

Sat, 20, Sun, 21, Mon, 22 and Tue, 23 Dec

Elves on the loose

The Guildhall will be looking at its festive best over the Christmas season, but you might need to look a little harder to catch all the Christmas magic inside – the elves are back up to their usual mischief and a very important Christmas letter has vanished somewhere in the museum.

Saturday, 15 November to Sunday, 4 January

Christmas Crafts & Elves  

Each Saturday brings a new holiday-themed craft to the Guildhall’s cosy Christmas room, where you can try your hand at anything from decorating paper plates to creating your own Christmas cards.

Sat, 15 Nov: Christmas Trees  

Sat, 22 Nov: Christmas Crackers  

Sat, 29 Nov: Snowmen and snowflakes  

Sat, 6 Dec/Sun, 7 Dec: Reindeer hats  

Sat, 13 Dec: Bauble decorations 

Sat 20 Dec: Angels  

The Mistletoe Costumed Ball  

Friday, 5 December, 7-11pm

Come dressed in your festive finery or as a Dickens Character for an evening to remember at the Corn Exchange Rochester. Complementary refreshments are available and there will be a raffle in aid of Friends of Eastgate House.

Tickets available online or by calling The Central's box office 01634 338338.  

£25 until Sunday 16 November, then £28 until Wednesday 3 December.   

Panto – Sleeping Beauty

This year’s panto is a dream come true, with Sleeping Beauty set to enchant audiences at The Central Theatre, Chatham from Thursday, 11 December 2025 to Sunday, 4 January 2026.

In what promises to be a production full of laughter, magic and festive fun, the production is a treat for the whole family to enjoy – and tickets are available now.